A New Order for Old System/ 11th Approximation

“Well it is time we have to get a new order for our old caste based name system,” said Dan shuffling papers on his desk.

Submitted:Apr 30, 2011
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A New
Order for Old System

11th
Approximation

Subba Rao

"Well
it is time we have to get a new order for our old caste based
name system," said Dan shuffling papers on his desk.

"What
you have in mind," Juggernaut was curious.

"Well,
according to the latest censes we the Indian Americans are the
new Ethnic group to reckon with in American economy and
politics."

"That's sure."

"The
old caste system that kept us together and prosperous in our old
country was breaking apart fast in this country; therefore, we
need a new system to keep people in their respective traditional
family professions together." Dan appeared very serious and
committed.

Dan is
only nickname; his real name is so long and it was difficult to
pronounce even for his own countrymen, he was forced to shorten
it. He ran a business 'Breakthru for Better Future' for
relocating people arriving in scores from his old country to the
new country. Juggernaut was a hired hand to help him out in paper
work; like getting work permits, submitting compliance reports
and paying fines for non-compliance etc. His job title was
'Pencil Pusher.'

"Think
big and see how three million or so of our country men can be
categorized into a profession based name system with a last name
that identifies them with their profession and still sounds
American," suggested Dan.

"So,
that's the basis for the new order for the old system then?"
inquired Juggernaut.

"Yes,
people in information technology or health care or academics or
finance or leisure and hospitality shall be grouped and assigned
with a new last name representing their occupation."

"How
about those that doesn't belong to these professions?" Juggernaut
expressed a serious doubt.

"True,
there are lots of people with no designated professions."

"Like
you and I for example," Juggernaut was now more specific.

"I
understand, lets create a miscellaneous category with a special
last name for them."

"That's easy," agreed Juggernaut.

"Now,
you go start thinking about a name that suits each profession for
consideration."

"OK,
let's say for those in leisure and hospitality business, their
last name shall sound leisure, it is only in sound we were
interested in, the spelling can vary; say for example, Mr./Ms.
Lesure, Mr./Ms. Lesurson, Mr./Ms. Leisure, Mr./Ms. Lasuer,
Mr./Ms. Leusaran, Mr./Ms. Lesurly, Mr./Ms. Lesurbury, Mr./Ms.
Lesuristine, Mr./Ms. Leisurban etc., These names sound novel,
American and yet represents a profession," "with these last names
one can easily figure it out that they are in the business of
leisure and hospitality," Juggernaut appeared satisfied with his
talent in English vocabulary.

"Yeah,
that's a good start." Dan was immersed in something he was good
at; making plans for the future.

"Well,
I hear you, I am not sure that everybody likes these names at the
first instance but at least it is a good start," "now tell me
what is that '11th Approximation, it sounds very
scientific," Dan expressed some doubts.

"Well,
your idea of assigning family or last names to signify their
trade or business and to get away from old caste names and fit
into 21st century nomenclature was a novel idea
indeed. Since it is only an approximation of last names and
subject to change by the coming generations of South Asians,
since it took place in 2011, I made it as 11th
approximation; there may be other revivals say in 2015 or later
and then it will be 15th approximation and so forth to
identify when that nomenclature change came into existence,"
Juggernaut concluded his explanation.

Dan
looked perplexed and confused but appeared happy to see his idea
was taken seriously and received a head-start from Juggernaut,
'the pencil pusher' working for minimum wage at in his company
'Breakthru for Better Future."